Choosing Better Roofing

When something breaks on your home, you might be tempted to find the cheapest alternative instead of investing massive amounts of money. However, sometimes the more expensive choice is the better one. A few years ago, I realized that we needed a new roof. After doing a little research, I chose inexpensive shingles and nails. After the new products were installed, I could tell that there was a problem. Fortunately, a roofer friend of mine spotted the trouble and helped me to repair my home. This blog is all about helping you to decode roofing materials, so that you can avoid problems down the road.

Are Cedar Shingles A Better Alternative Than Asphalt Shingles?

Posted on:
17 September 2015

Deciding on roofing shingles is not a decision to be made based on cost alone, but unfortunately, that's what many homeowners do. Any shingle that you have installed is going to have great performance initially, and there should not be any problems with keeping water out of your home unless the shingles were installed improperly. The main difference will be the longevity of the material, but there are other important factors as well. If you are choosing between cedar and asphalt shingles, consider these reasons to go with cedar.

Longevity

You should always consider your long-term costs rather than your short-term costs when replacing a roof. Buying cheap asphalt shingles that will need to be replaced after 20 years is one way is one way to spend more money than necessary while living in your home. The longevity of an asphalt shingle can be shortened due to extreme hot and cold temperatures but also from extreme weather like hailstorms. If you do not consider this factor, you'll spend more money in the end.

Cedar shingles can last much longer, between 50 and 100 years, with thicker cedar shingles lasting near the latter part of the spectrum. An asphalt shingle roof may need to be replaced several times during the lifespan of a quality cedar shingle roof.

Aesthetics

If you want to protect your roof and raise your home's value, cedar shingles are what can make your home stand out in your neighborhood. Sometimes the asphalt shingles do not fit the style of your home, such as if you are going for a rustic cabin look. You do not want to install a shingle that will detract from the look, even if it means you are saving some money. Cedar shingles can help tie everything together and make it easier to sell your home later on.

Environmental Impact

If you are looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly, then you should definitely stay away from asphalt shingles. Since they need to be replaced much more often than other shingles, the asphalt material creates a lot of waste that ends up in landfills.Cedar that is obtained using sustainable methods has a minimal environmental impact in the end.

Don't make the mistake of going with the cheapest material, and select the type of shingle that you think will be best for your house. For more information, contact Drey Roofing or a similar company.